The just-concluded fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has adopted the Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, a move hailed by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu as a milestone of “great significance” that provides a strategic blueprint for the country’s development and carries major implications for the city.

In a social media post on late Thursday, he congratulated the successful closing of the plenum session, held from Monday through Thursday in Beijing, saying he was “greatly encouraged and inspired” by its communique.

Lee said that the session was held at a critical juncture as China nears the conclusion of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25). He praised the nation’s historic achievements and “world-renowned accomplishments” in driving high-quality development and comprehensively deepening reforms amid a rapidly changing global landscape.

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The newly adopted recommendations for the upcoming plan, which map out a top-level design and strategic plan for the country’s development in the next five years, carry far-reaching impacts and implications for the special administrative region, Lee said.

He said that the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan is not only critical for the nation’s development and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation but also signifies a new phase for Hong Kong’s implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle, also for accelerating its advancement from stability to prosperity.

Lee pledged that Hong Kong will align itself with the national development blueprint, using its strengths to actively participate in the 15th Five-Year Plan. He is confident that Hong Kong can capitalize on the significant opportunities presented by national development and contribute to the country’s growth using its unique strengths.

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He also urged all sectors of Hong Kong society to diligently study and implement the spirit of the plenary session. He expressed Hong Kong’s commitment to effectively harnessing the power and value of “patriots governing Hong Kong”, fulfilling its responsibilities to contribute to national development.